Ehrenburg Castle

In Ehrenburg Castle, a fascinating walk through the history of the European high nobility awaits you. Take an expedition to the outstandingly well preserved traces of dukes and duchesses, kings and queens! The castle served as the city residence of the Coburg dukes as of 1547. Today, from Schlossplatz, you can look at the Neo-Gothic façade from the 19th century, which came into being under Duke Ernst I (1806 - 1844) according to the designs of the famous Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Behind these imposing walls is a powerful complex that can look back on 450 years of history. The name “Ehrenburg”, or Honourable Castle, is supposed to have come from Emperor Charles the 5th, because the building, in contrast to general practice, was erected without forced labor. After a major fire, Ehrenburg Castle was converted into a Baroque residence under Duke Albrecht in 1690. Its splendor is still witnessed by the castle’s church, for example, and the Giant’s Hall with 28 mighty figures of Atlas. On the frieze under the ceiling, there are 56 coats of arms of the former territories of the House of Wettin, a witness to the thousand-year history of the family and its onetime significant dominion. A tour through Ehrenburg also takes you to the private sanctum of its former residents. The rooms furnished especially for her, remind us of the times Queen Victoria stayed there. Take a look into the former bed-chambers of the ruler and marvel there at the first toilet with flushing water on the European continent. Even Leopold I, a true Coburger who found his place in the history books as the first king of the Belgians, lived here in the castle. Also explore the apartment of Duke Ernst I and the castle’s chapel where the waltz king, Johann Strauss, was married in 1887. Also worth seeing are two valuable picture galleries including works from Lucas Cronach the Elder. They highlight the impressive ambience of the living style of this epoch.

Throne Room

The neo-classical throne room was furnished based on plans from the French architect Marie Renié-Grétry as of March 1816. The design of the ceiling is orientated around the Tuileries Palace of Emperor Napoleon in Paris. The multicolor, inlaid parquet floors as well as the furnishings with bronze, gilded furniture and red satin from France are very remarkable.

Hall of Giants

The enormous Hall of Giants from the late 17th century takes its name from the 28 mighty Atlas figures that support its entablature. This splendid room with its artistic stucco ceiling was used as the ballroom of the ducal city residence. Even today, its beauty radiates during ceremonious occasions.

Hofkirche

On June 23, 1690, the foundation stone was laid for the protestant Hofkirche church. The splendid stucco work originates from the brothers Bartolomeo and Carlo Domenico Luchese. The church was consecrated on February 4, 1738. On August 15, 1887, the composer Johann Strauss (son) married his beloved Adele there with great empathy from the Coburg population.

Bedroom of Queen Victoria

The bedroom of Queen Victoria, the wife of Prince Albert, awaits you with a curiosity: a flushing mahogany toilet that was made in England. It is one of the first flushing toilets on the European continent.

Bedroom of Duchess Luise

The impressive, green silk covering of the bedroom of Duchess Luise was renewed in 1975 based on original patterns. Besides precious mahogany furniture in the Parisian style, today there is still a bronze-gilded grandfather clock in the shape of a lyre on the richly designed fireplace.

Tapestry Room

Still from the Baroque era, around 1692, is the stuccowork of extreme virtuosity of the former bed-chambers of Duchess Susanne Elisabeth. After 1816, the luxurious room was redesigned and furnished with three large tapestries from the famous Parisian tapestry manufacturer. They depict fancy weaving mills from the so-called "New Indian Succession".

Regional Library

Ehrenburg, which was restored from top to bottom in the past few decades, also holds the Coburg Regional Library. The almost square check-out hall is open during public hours as are the two large reading rooms. The former Silver Hall is used today by the Regional Library as the exhibition area. Originally, it was erected as a ceremonious dining room. The bacchanalian motifs (grape leaves for example) can still be seen on the ceiling today. The former Andromeda Room with its decorative stucco ceiling is used by the Regional Library as a presentation room. There are just short of 400,000 books of current and historical literature as well as 400 manuscripts, 151 incunables and around 6500 autographs.